Dr. Jenny McCune - Permit for species protection or recovery

On April 29, 2022, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issued a protection or recovery permit to Dr. Jenny McCune with respect to Four-Leaved Milkweed, Spotted Wintergreen, False Rue-Anemone, White Wood Aster, American Columbo, Wood-Poppy, and Drooping Trillium, which are species at risk. The permit authorizes Dr. McCune to collect seeds and tissue samples from populations across Ontario, and to conduct propagation and translocation trials for Wood-Poppy.

The permit authorizes Dr. Jenny McCune to:

• collect, possess, and transport seeds and tissue samples from Four-Leaved Milkweed, Spotted Wintergreen, False Rue-Anemone, White Wood Aster, American Columbo, Wood-Poppy, and Drooping Trillium
• conduct propagation trials of seeds collected of all species, granted enough seeds may be collected without harming the population
• conduct transplantation trials of Wood-Poppy to test the viability of transplantation as a recovery option.

The permit includes conditions that require Dr. Jenny McCune to undertake measures that will:

• assist in the protection or recovery of the species specified in the permit

Actions to assist in the protection or recovery of the species specified in the permit

The actions authorized in the permit will assist the protection and recovery of the specified species through:

• the continued development and implementation of standardized monitoring and surveying protocol
• the continued execution of a population genetics and landscape ecology study through DNA sampling and modelling
• conducting studies of population viability and the potential for reintroductions/introductions to suitable sites
• introduction of Wood-Poopy to new sites with suitable habitat, while developing and implementing short-term and long-term monitoring programs and experiments to investigate the success of introductions as a recovery option

The Province has published the following government response statements under section 12.1 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 with respect to the seven noted species at risk:

• Wood-poppy
• Drooping Trillium
• False Rue-anemone
• Four-leaved Milkweed
• Spotted Wintergreen
• American Columbo
• White Wood Aster

Consideration for the Government Response Statements was included for the permit activities, including:

• developing and implement a standardized survey and monitoring programs
• conducting research to determine the species' reproductive biology, habitat and disturbance requirements, and the minimum viable population level
• collaborating with partners and other jurisdictions to increase understanding of population viability and best practices for improving population viability